Virus Outbreak-Milestones, ADVISORY

Two big milestones in the coronavirus pandemic are upon us — 200,000 confirmed deaths in the U.S. and at least a million worldwide. The true number of deaths is hard to know, and could be much higher. But crossing these thresholds serves as a grim reminder of the incredible toll of COVID-19.

To mark these sobering milestones, AP journalists are reexamining the virus through many lenses — the deaths, the pandemic's global impact, the intersection of science and politics and what we’ve learned about treatment so far.

The AP plans the following all-formats coverage. Please note that this advisory has been updated to reschedule VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-THE SPREAD, as well as the related interactive presentation, for Monday, Sept. 28. The timing of some items might continue to be adjusted depending on when global milestone occurs, based on Johns Hopkins University's coronavirus data.

For up-to-the minute information on AP’s coverage, visit Coverage Plan at https://newsroom.ap.org

SUNDAY, SEPT. 20

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-POLITICS-ANALYSIS: In a deeply divided America, even death is a political litmus test. To Joe Biden and Democrats, crossing 200,000 U.S. coronavirus deaths is a reminder of the Trump administration’s inaction and indifference to the pandemic. To President Donald Trump and his supporters, it’s a reminder that the toll could have been much worse. By AP Washington Bureau Chief Julie Pace. SENT: 1,050 words, photos.

MONDAY, SEPT. 21

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-FAMILIES: In a year full of sorrowful statistics, the U.S. records one more: 200,000 dead of the coronavirus. They were loyal partners, illuminating scholars, crowd-pleasing chefs, pillars of business. And many were something more: parents. For the children left behind, life is forever changed. And for grandparents, surviving parents and others now stepping in, it is a balancing act of new responsibility while mourning the dead. By Matt Sedensky. SENT: 1,200 words, photos, video.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-200,000 DEAD: Seven months after the first COVID-19 fatality was recorded in the U.S., the nation is passing the milestone of 200,000 confirmed deaths — a staggering total that seemed impossible earlier in the year. By Carla K. Johnson. SENT: 1,200 words, photos.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-POLITICS: As America’s public health community battles a virulent pandemic, they’ve also had to reckon with something that has traditionally been well outside their realm: politics. The Trump administration has mixed public health in with politics over the past six months in ways that critics fear could undermine the credibility of any treatment or vaccine. By Jason Dearen. SENT: 1,900 words, photos. Abridged version of 970 words also available.

FRIDAY, SEPT 25

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-PHOTO GALLERY: A global look at the impact from 1 million COVID deaths in photos spanning the past 6 months, including fresh images captured as the milestone approached. SENT: Photo gallery with 300-word text introduction.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-ZIMBABWE: As the global death toll from COVID-19 approaches 1 million, Zimbabwe and several other African countries have not experienced the widespread surges and high numbers of deaths that were predicted. Many have become complacent about the threat posed by the coronavirus, which health experts say could allow the disease to become a more serious problem in the coming months. SENT: 700 words, photos.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-SURVIVING COVID: The million people who have lost their lives to COVID-19 also have given the world some gifts: a better understanding of how to treat the disease, and ways to prevent it that could help keep millions more from dying in the future. By Marilynn Marchione. SENT: 1,100 words, photos.

MONDAY, SEPT. 28

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES: The worldwide death toll from the coronavirus eclipses 1 million, nine months into a crisis that has devastated the global economy, tested world leaders’ resolve, pitted science against politics and forced multitudes to change the way they live, learn and work. By Adam Geller and Rishabh R. Jain. UPCOMING: 900 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-OPTIONAL: Joginder Chaudhary was his parents’ greatest pride, raised with the little they earned farming a half-acre plot in central India to become the first doctor from their village. For the coronavirus, though, he was just one more in a million. He died at age 27 in July. His distraught mother died three weeks later. By Adam Geller and Rishabh R. Jain. UPCOMING: 1,200 words, photos.

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-THE SPREAD: Like so many things in the world, it started small. It began to move around, and the map evolved. Month by month, week by week, sometimes day by day, the coronavirus spread and the world changed with it. How did something so contained upend the routines and activities of huge swaths of human civilization? By National Writer Ted Anthony. UPCOMING: Text, photos and an interactive presentation showing the spread of infections around the globe.

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TUESDAY, SEPT. 29

VIRUS OUTBREAK-MILESTONES-CUBAN DOCTORS’ DEATH: Almost 55 years ago, Dr. Jorge Vallejo told his colleagues at a Havana hospital that he needed to rush home to see one of his toddler sons who had a fever. He lied. In reality, he went home that night to pack some clothes, get his wife and two boys and board a torpedo boat named “La Gaviota.” Before the sun rose the next day, the Vallejos and other Cuban refugees had sailed across the Florida Straits and braved a storm that left them stranded at sea. Vallejo and one of his sons, also a doctor, have died from the coronavirus. By Adriana Gomez. UPCOMING: Text, photos.

STANDALONE VIDEO:

— ARGENTINA VIRUS MEDICS: After over six months of fighting the pandemic and amidst a growing number of COVID-19 patients in Argentina intensive care health professionals warn that their physical and emotional reserves are on the brink. SENT on Thursday, Sept. 24.

— US VIRUS MILESTONE GRIEF: Sitting around a picnic table, a group of girls write names on strips of paper. The art therapy session helps the children talk about their loss. For 6-year-old Sofia Scala, she’s able to open up about her father, who died of COVID-19. As the pandemic's confirmed global death toll approaches 1 million, grief counselors say there’s added trauma for children. UPCOMING on Monday, Sept. 28.

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AP plans continuing spot coverage of the pandemic as these milestones pass. Please monitor Coverage Plan for updates.